Tracing days in their lives

"Two Lives," a joint exhibition of acrylic paintings by Japanese artist Tadanori Yokoo and American artist Paul Davis is on show until Aug. 4 at Nishimura Gallery in Ginza, Tokyo.

"Uncle Bunny" (2001) by Paul Davis

The two artists, both originally graphic designers, met in 1965 in Tokyo, where they were both showing at the "Persona Exhibition" at Matsuya department store in Ginza. They met again a couple of years later in New York, where they promised each other that they would one day hold a joint exhibition. Thirty-four years later, they have finally realized this goal.

Yokoo, born in 1936 in Hyogo Prefecture, was a self-taught artist who designed graphics for the Nippon Design Center until 1964, when he became a freelance illustrator. In 1980, after winning numerous awards for his poster designs, he went to a Picasso exhibition held at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, where he became so fascinated by Picasso's paintings that he switched from graphic design to painting. Since then, he has worked in acrylics, creating works depicting his own unique conception of the universe.

Davis, who studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York, first gained fame in 1959 when one of his illustrations was published in "Playboy" magazine. In 1967, his renowned "The Spirit of Che Guevara" was printed on the cover of "Evergreen" magazine, after which he became recognized as one of the leaders of America's subculture. Soon after, he created posters for "Hamlet" and "The Three Penny Opera" for Joseph Papp's New York Shakespeare Festival, earning him recognition as a painter.

"Two Lives" features 10 paintings by Yokoo and 12 paintings by Davis. Based on the friendship of two versatile artists, the exhibition offers viewers a glimpse into their life and works.